Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-29

1udU Cucy udU dGGdlUeu Sucl q llgl STANDARD OF
excellence without Official recognition or assist
ance from the Government was to their credit
ana therefore he thought that it was but proper
should be consulted in the matter and be given an
opportunity Ii they wished, to become the founda-
ton OF the District National Guard. His object
In meetlng them was, he said, that he might in
form them exactly what was intended to be done
as Iar as was determined, so that they could act
WI WIN clear understanding Of the situation, and
he was willing to answer any questions that might
De put 10 MIN to the best OF his ability.
GIN. oRDwAY's IDEAL MILITIA.
First, however, he desired to outline his ideas
OF the militia In general, and what he would like
the District militia to become. He held that the
militia had threefold object. First, as reserve
police force to be called upon at short notice to
preserve order and protect property; second as q
defensive force, to hold the defenses of the cOun-
% try IN time OF danger until an army could be Or
gained, and third, and most important OF ALL as
scnoOl for military training OF the people, to
provide the country with officers in time OF war,
West Point academy does to the regular
army =. His ideal militia, that which he
would like to see established, was, he said,
drilled organization, that could be ready under the
first head-that OF reserve police-to turn out to
maintain order and protect property on from
thirty TO sixty minutes notice; under the second
head-that OF defensive national guard-that
could turn out, fully armed and equipped, with
cars for the Canadian border On twenty-four
hours notice; and under the third head, that
would be q school for the thorough training of
officers and men, with lectures by prominent MILL
tary men, course OF study OF tactics and i'm
prOVementS In military methods, target practice
with shooting galleries in the armories, where
men could be trained to become expert with their
rifles, and encouraged to spend their leisure time
for their military advancement. That, he said.
the present was legally organized military force
under one head, that should be recognized as a
part OF the national guard and as such entitled to
all the privileges and assistance accorded such Or
CARNATIONS In the States
HOW 1T Is TO BIZ DONE.
This, ne said, was to be elected by commission
Ing the officers by the President and enlist1ng the
men for term OF three years. There was to be no
eompulsion in the matter, he said but they were
the na ana tasTS offered an OF joining
they would be entitled to draw clothing, arms and
equipments from the general Government, as pro-
secured, be entitled TO armOry rent fuel expenses
&C. II they declined, their present status as self
constituted bodies OF a military character without
no way affected, except that they would be re-
qulred 10 turn over to the ordnance department
longing to the Government
AS lor himself, Gen. Ordway said that the office
OF 20 encouragement, commanding the District
militia, was not one that he wanted or sought. He
nau Ior many years been actively interested in
militia matters. He belonged to the militia before
the war, and from 1t entered the army His per-
sonal experience had been such as to Show him the
advantages 70 the country to be derived from hay-
ing thoroughly organized and equipped national
guaId, ana Ior the past six years he had devoted
considerable time and attention In endeavOrtnp to
promoGe It's einc1ency by securing needed legisla-
tion. He had spoken, written and worked on the
mater: When he was asked to practice what he
Preacheo, Dy organizing and assuming command
OF tne Dlstf1cG militia, he could not AFFORD to de-
cline. he had been commissioned as the officer
commanding, and would perform the duties of the
Office TO the best OF his ability
THEIR IDENTITY NOT TO BIZ LOST.
In answer to questions from a number of those
present, General Ordway said that in joining the
National Guard they would not lose their identity
as separate military organizations, or change
their uniforms or names. Except when called out
as Ihe Nauonal Guard Of the District, they could
turn out as the Washington Light Infantry or the
NatlOna! h1neS, and so on, with all the gold lace
ana leatners tnat they might want; but as the
National Guard, they would all be eventually uni
formed as regular soldiers. He compared their DO
siti0n to that Of the City Troop of Philadelphia,
who appeared here at the dedication OF the Wash
ingtOn monument as SUCH dressed in the most ele-
giant uniforms, costing from $3.50 to $500 apiece and
AGAIN on inauguration day they were seen as the
regular soldiers While it is intended to Organize
the militia force into separate battalons OF into
IWo regiments OF three battaltOnS each, the latter
preferred Is not intended that any existing or
gan1zat1On shall combine with or be merged into
anotaer, unless 1t Is mutually SO desired. It is
noReS gsay wthgy thsy VIII be enabled to enlarge their
and transfers viii not be needed. Any company,
however, OF the required number OF men, 81 can
| u
paper, as 1t were. The Light Infantry is already q
0attanon and he would like to see it Join as such
me veterans too. would make battalion, the
places OF the present members to be filled by their
sons other organizations could Join as compa-
MES.
GRANTING APPLICATIONS TO RECRUIT ORGANIZATIONS.
When asked by Capt. Uren to explain the method
OF joining Gen. Ordway said: 'If you should
make application for permission to recruit COM
pany would authorize you to do so, and you
would be empowered to muster in your men,"
HOW about an application for permission 10 re-
crWI battaliOn?" asked Col. Moore
'Ihe same, was the reply.
"rhen,n said Col. Moore, II now make appnca-
uon on, lor e permission to recruit battalion"
'lt Is granted, said Gen. Ordway.
II also request authority to recruit battalion,
SAID MAI Revels. Of the Capital City Guards
ue Of the 70 rees Vsrs exclaimed Capt
Both requests were granted as soon as made,
ana the attention of all present was again turned
70 tne 1urther explanations vouchSafed by Gen.
Row OFFICERS ARE 10 BE CHOSEN.
WnAe the men are to be recruited by the ofa-
GERS they tthe 0fcers will hold their positions at
the WIZ OF their companies. When an oflcer is
amined by the military examining board appoint
tne purpose and then, III found fitted for the
Ros,19ns tSs he win receive his commission direct
LOm tne PRESIDENT. 1t will be valid until he Is dis
placed by the election Of somebody else, whenever
the organization which he commands sees ut. II
It Is Intended that those % who 10 @ enlist shall be e1
eeS 9s ION qo Jury duty While every citizen owes g
In answer to q question BY Col. Moore Gen. Ord
way said that the term OF service viii be three
omsd ISs Sy sne recgnzes the do1y Pe
they win be credited with the time they have
served their enlistment dating from the expiration
has served two years and six months WIN have
Ous one year Of service to complete his term.
TUE FRKsrDHNr'S INTEREST.